Crystal Palace Manager Confirms Eberechi Eze Out for Conference League Ahead Arsenal Transfer

Eberechi Eze will not play for Crystal Palace in their Europa Conference League playoff first-leg against Fredrikstad as he is set to join Arsenal for a reported £67.5-68 million fee, a move that Arsenal expedited following an injury to Kai Havertz. Palace manager Oliver Glasner revealed that Eze called him on matchday saying he did not feel well enough to play, a decision that was accepted by the club and likely influenced by Arsenal's preference to avoid risking the player before the transfer. Despite ongoing transfer talks, Glasner has praised Eze's professionalism and commitment to Crystal Palace, emphasizing that players are expected to give 100% while under contract. The transfer saga saw Arsenal outmaneuver Tottenham Hotspur to secure the deal quickly, with Eze expected to undergo a medical soon. Glasner also highlighted the challenges of managing players amid transfer speculation but confirmed that both Eze and captain Marc Guéhi continued to play key roles for Palace until their departures. The situation reflects the complexities faced by clubs balancing player welfare, transfer negotiations, and competitive commitments in European competitions.